My first session of quirk counseling began promptly with Mr. Aizawa pulling out a form and a pen.
"Okay, let's start with the basics. What's the quirk called?"
"Oh, I didn't realize it was supposed to have a name. Um… Pause? Fast-Forward? Zip?" He sighed heavily.
"…we'll come back to that. At what age did you develop it?"
"About four years ago."
"What are your parents' quirks, if any?"
I smiled uncomfortably.
"Don't know, sir." He didn't even glance up, just kept writing.
"Right. Would you say there are any physical changes when you…" He went down a whole list of very specific questions. Finally, he said, "Why don't you describe to me how it works."
"Okay. Um, I usually trigger it with a very deep breath. And then everything around me just… slows to a stop. I can move around, manipulate objects, the whole deal, and then I breathe out to let time continue as normal."
"So it's a sensation of stopping time?"
"Pretty much."
"Tell me what happened today when the floor caved in." Ah, I hadn't expected that. I shifted my weight.
"Well I realized what was happening and slowed it all to a stop to try and help. But… moving was more difficult."
"Why?" He pressed.
"Well when it stops, I feel like I'm moving through water. Maybe that's why it tires me out so much. So while I wasn't falling anymore when time stopped, moving was weird without stable footing; I'd never tried my quirk in midair before."
"Well, from the sound of it, you don't stop time at all." He said, putting his pen down, "You have brief bursts of unparalleled speed. You're moving and thinking so fast that it feels as if everything else stopped. You still have to deal with force and what is being applied to you, hence the sensation of moving in water. Does this make sense?"
My slack jaw and wide eyes must have been answer enough because he continued,
"That would also explain exhaustion as a side-effect. Your body is burning through an incredible amount of energy all at once. I'm honestly surprised you stayed awake today after this morning's ordeal." I realized my hands might have been shaking so I clenched them into fists. It wasn't praise exactly, but it was recognition that what I was doing wasn't easy. I felt so relieved.
Still, I offered an easygoing smile.
"I tried to be more selective when using my quirk today since I was mortified to have slept through yesterday's classes." He was quiet for a moment, looking at me and clearly thinking to himself quite a bit. I waited patiently.
"You must have made quite an effort during my quirk apprehension test." He observed, "You used your quirk a total of three times, each time exerting significant physical effort. You even kept moving during the distance run after you'd reached your limit."
He'd noticed all that?
"Ah, I just felt it was rude to stop with time to spare. You told us to show you what we can do so I guess I…" I trailed off, fidgeting.
"While I appreciate you taking this seriously, I much prefer your instinct today; preserving your strength unless needed. If you hadn't done that, you likely wouldn't have been able to react when the floor gave out."
I unclenched my fists. I was tired.
"Got it!" I agreed, "Though I know I wasn't of much use in the simulation this morning, I can definitely see how having a reserve of strength can be handy."
"I hate it when that big oaf is right." Aizawa muttered, then reluctantly confessed, "All Might says I may have been too harsh with you all this morning. While I stand by my comments, I can see how it may have been discouraging."
I blinked at him with genuine surprise.
"Not at all, sir. I found it extremely helpful. Nothing you said was anything but constructive. I can't speak for the others, but I appreciated the detailed input. It gives me something to focus on and work to improve." I'd always hated when teachers wouldn't even glance at assignments I'd spent time and effort on. Though tough to swallow, his observations meant I could make a plan next time that would result in definite improvements. He looked right at me again, for once his surprise actually showing on his usually expressionless face.
"…regardless," He moved on, "If you felt you were of no use during the simulation, then I lacked clarity. Your strategies, while far from the most effective, were relatively sound, and you were able to get your partner's attention. Moreover, you trusted him to do his part, something many students struggle to do at this stage. More importantly, I'd say you made a few discoveries about your quirk. You're finally experimenting."
I felt guilty for enjoying his positive remarks. I should have been fine with his initial comments. Had I made it seem like he'd hurt my feelings?
He continued,
"And I hope you haven't forgotten the injury you saved miss Uraraka from. You navigated through uncharted territory to achieve that."
"And I found out that specific application makes me nauseous." I added with an ironic grin, "Which makes sense, being so off-balance." I thought back, "And I guess I learned I need to avoid being put in situations like how I was with Kirishima. Granted, if he wasn't literally tough as a rock, I may have been able to do some damage, but…"
"Do you know why I have this scarf?" He asked me. I shook my head. He pulled at it and it began to float. One end shot forward and latched onto a chair. "It's a near-unbreakable material, so I can restrict my opponent's movement and capture them. I also learned to fight hand-to-hand, all things that my quirk does not facilitate. When you identify a possible weakness, it's your responsibility to strengthen that area by thinking outside the box."
"That's so clever." I said, "So if they think they got you, they'll be screwed in an entirely different way. So you think I should have something to deter being caught and restrained?"
"You have plenty of time to come up with a solution, this is just the kind of thing I'd like you to think about. Most of the others here have had the opportunity to thoroughly explore their quirks. Here, we go a step further and make you all as efficient and creative as possible. In the next few weeks, I encourage you to continue experimenting and learning more about your quirk."
I nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright, let's end here for today since I'd like you to see Recovery Girl. Go on." I moved to leave and paused at the door, not turning back.
"…thanks for this, professor."
.
A jog to the infirmary led to a miraculous recovery and reenforced tiredness. I kept myself alert by humming on my way pick up Moe. I was grateful to arrive without the sling. He'd get worried otherwise.
Back at the dorm I made myself a strong cup of coffee, then did a few jumping jacks to get adrenaline flowing. Homework, dinner, quirk brainstorming.
I collapsed into bed at 8.
At around four in the morning, I woke up.
There's no sort of super hearing or heightened perception that comes with my quirk. In fact, I can zone out pretty easily. But over years of sleeping in the same room as Moe, who is dastardly good at keeping quiet, I began to get an instinct for when he needed me. So as soon as I got my bearings, I sleepily turned on my side to look across the room.
Moe was still and perfectly quiet. Too quiet; I could hear him breathe when he was really sleeping.
"You okay?" I murmured. He nodded. "Well scoot anyway." I brought my panda with me and climbed in beside Moe. He was hugging his Hawks plush tightly. "Nightmare?"
After a long hesitation, he nodded.
"Well, you should have woken me up." I chided, smoothing his hair so he'd relax. Up close, I could hear his tiny little heart racing. "You know I don't mind. I can always take a nap later." But he shook his head.
"You're already tired. I'm sorry you woke up."
"Oh really?" I turned the lights on and plucked him out of bed, holding him upside down as he squirmed. I pulled out our snack stash and pestered him until he picked some fruit snacks. I sat down on the reading chair with him on my lap. At last, he gave in and clutched to me, trembling. "That's it, sweetie. You're okay. I'm right here." I held him and provided lighthearted stories about my time so far, about my nice teachers and crazy classmates. I kept talking even after he closed his eyes, so the sudden silence wouldn't wake him.